How do termite workers feed soldiers, reproductives, and young nymphs?

In a termite colony, the worker caste is responsible for feeding the dependent members, including soldiers, reproductives, and young nymphs, who cannot feed themselves directly. This process of food transfer is known as trophallaxis.12

Workers utilize two primary methods to transfer food:

• Mouth feeding: Workers regurgitate a mixture of chewed wood and saliva or a clear liquid, which is then consumed by the dependent castes.1
• Anal feeding: Primarily observed in lower termite families, workers discharge a pastelike liquid or droplet from the anus, which is then licked away by the dependent individuals. This liquid is distinct from feces and contains hindgut fluid, wood fragments, and essential protozoans that are necessary for cellulose digestion in those species.1

Through these methods, workers ensure that all members of the colony receive the necessary nutrients, while also facilitating the transmission of chemical signals, such as pheromones, which help regulate caste development and colony balance.12